How an Elder Law Attorney Helps Special Needs Individuals and Families
Friday, October 13th, 2017 | Special Needs
The term “elder law” is not intuitively associated with planning for special needs. Often individuals with special needs and caregiving family members are far from “elderly.” So why should an individual with special needs or the parents or guardians of that person seek help from an elder law attorney? Elder law is a practice area […]
Read More »The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act
Monday, May 23rd, 2016 | Estate Planning, Finances, Special Needs
Special needs trusts are powerful tools for individuals with disabilities to pay for the quality of life they desire. However, there is a flaw in current special needs trust law which prevents people with special needs from establishing their own special needs trusts, often referred to as “d4A” trusts. Only a parent, grandparent, conservator, or […]
Read More »What is a Third Party Special Needs Trust?
Thursday, February 26th, 2015 | Finances, Special Needs
A third party Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a trust established by one person for the benefit of another person who has a disability. The assets that fund the trust belong to someone other than the person with a disability. That is why we call it a “third party” SNT. The purpose of the SNT […]
Read More »Understanding Special Needs Trusts and Pending Legislation
Thursday, July 10th, 2014 | Newsletter, Special Needs
In the March edition of Elder Counselor we offered several tips for special needs planning. Establishing a Special Needs Trust (SNT) is among the many planning strategies that can help to improve an individual’s quality of life. Because individuals with special needs face many quality-of-life and care challenges, and addressing those issues can be expensive, […]
Read More »Practical Tips for Special Needs Planning
Monday, March 24th, 2014 | Newsletter, Special Needs
In honor of “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month,” proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in March 1987, this month’s issue of ElderCounselor examines the unique planning requirements of families who have loved ones with special needs. Understanding the pitfalls associated with special needs planning is a must for all who assist families with children, grandchildren, or other […]
Read More »October is Special Needs Law Month
Saturday, October 13th, 2012 | Legal Insights, Special Needs
This October, Elder Law of East Tennessee is joining Elder Law attorneys nationwide in recognizing National Special Needs Law Month. Unlike traditional lawyers, Special Needs Law attorneys focus on the issues that affect a particular segment of the population – generally the elderly and disabled – rather than a particular area of law. When clients […]
Read More »New IRS Rule: Tax Deduction for Special Education Tuition
Monday, June 4th, 2012 | Finances, Special Needs
As all parents with special needs children know, addressing a child’s physical and learning disabilities can be a huge financial burden. Educating these children so that they are able to achieve the maximum level of independence is both difficult and costly. Previously the IRS had allowed parents of special needs children to deduct the cost […]
Read More »Planning for Disability – The Good, The Bad and The Necessary
Thursday, August 25th, 2011 | Life Care Planning, Special Needs
No one likes to think about the possibility of their own disability or the disability of a loved one. However, as we’ll see below, the statistics are clear that we should all plan for at least a temporary disability. This blog entry examines the eye-opening statistics surrounding disability and some of the common disability planning […]
Read More »Special Needs Children –Planning After Divorce
Monday, August 1st, 2011 | Legal Insights, Special Needs
Divorce can be complicated, frustrating, disappointing, expensive, along with a whole range of other emotions, as anyone who has endured this type of proceeding can attest. As difficult as the issues can be in a divorce proceeding, can you imagine what happens when divorce involves a child with a disability? Lets review a case study […]
Read More »
